On many renal diets, you may start to think there’s nothing to eat! All the old foods you used to eat are gone from your diet – although they may still be in your cabinets and the rest of your family is still eating them. Food is connected to many social events that it can be difficult to want to stay on your diet.
However, feeling worse the next day after cheating on your renal diet is enough of a reminder to get back on track and begin looking at what is so good about your renal diet.
Protein For a Renal Diet!- Protein for a renal diet can be important
The answer is the protein! You don’t have to give up the traditional sources of protein on a renal diet. You may have to eat less of them but they usually aren’t off your diet completely.
For example, chicken, turkey, pork and beef are allowed on a renal diet. You can cook these meats in a number of ways. Here are some examples:
• Grilled chicken breast with rosemary
• Savory chicken legs (cooked in ground savory)
• Fried chicken thighs
• Barbecued turkey wings
• Braised turkey legs in apricot sauce
• Roasted turkey breast and vegetable-rice stir-fry
• Pork chop with applesauce
• Meatloaf
• Filet mignon
• Tasty beef ribs
• Prime rib with horseradish
• Grilled beefsteak to share with your dog
• Top sirloin steak with onions
All these are enough to give your taste buds a big hug! But have you ever considered some of the other types of animal proteins that you could be eating? Just because you’re on a renal diet doesn’t mean you will be eating tasteless food for the rest of your life!
Protein Sources You Could Fall in Love With
What if you could discover new tastes and keep your taste buds overjoyed? Would it affect the rest of your life?
There are four new protein sources to consider:
1. Cornish hens. These are a more delicate flavor than chicken and you never have to worry about the meat ending up tough. A Cornish hen may be better for those on a renal diet – the bird isn’t as large as a chicken so the small amount of protein you are eating daily doesn’t leave too many leftovers if you are living alone.
2. Lamb. Ground lamb is tastier than ground beef in meatloaf or in burgers. Like with other healthy burgers, add some shredded carrots, onions, garlic, and even a bit of spinach. Even three or four mint leaves will really perk up the recipe and your appetite.
3. Ground buffalo (bison). With this one, you can rest assured that the meat hasn’t been modified in any way. You’ll get ground buffalo pretty close to the same ground buffalo that the pilgrims ate. All red meats are generally a good source of iron, and it may be one of the nutrients you have been quite low in recently.
4. Heritage turkeys. These birds don’t even look like our modern-day style turkeys. The turkeys are the original ones the pilgrims ate when they came to America. Full of omega 3 fats, heritage turkeys don’t even dry out after cooking and last in the refrigerator longer, too. These are the turkeys that the finest restaurants use because the birds rank highest in taste tests by top chefs worldwide.
Remember that on a renal diet, it’s not a good idea to include canned meats. This includes chili. Have you ever noticed the nutrient composition on the label for a can of chili? Most brands have less than 12 grams protein in it, which may be a perfect amount for someone on a renal diet.
One ounce of protein is equal to 7 grams protein. However, the tomato sauce in the chili is too high in sodium and potassium, which may be enough to put you over the top on a renal diet.
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